Ed Sheeran has been drawn into a bitter dispute after Macklemore was removed from the British singer’s US stadium tour following pro-Palestinian speeches and displays of support for Gaza.
People close to Sheeran, 35, say he is “absolutely furious” and believes he has been “thrown under a bus” by friends, although the singer has insisted that the decision to drop Macklemore was made by the tour promoter.
The controversy began at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Macklemore was supporting Sheeran on September 4. Before performing his protest song Hind’s Hall, the American rapper told the 82,500-strong crowd: “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour is so that I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very, very dear to my heart: Free Palestine.”
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, also wore a keffiyeh scarf and used images from Gaza during his performances. The following night, he told Jewish fans that criticism of Israel and opposition to genocide were “in no way a criticism of you”.
His interventions prompted objections from prominent Jewish groups. StopAntisemitism accused him of “ambushing” Sheeran’s audience, while the Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for his removal.
US singer Pink, who is Jewish, also criticised the decision to make the concerts political, saying: “You don’t have to agree with [a single] thing Israel’s government does to not want the Jewish family two rows down from you to be scared.”
The dispute escalated when Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, refused to allow Macklemore to perform at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. Kraft cited what he described as the rapper’s “broader history of anti-Semitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community”.
Kraft’s decision carried a personal dimension for Sheeran, who performed Perfect at the businessman’s wedding in 2022 and later described him as “super sweet”.
Messina Touring Group subsequently said venues had warned that they would not allow concerts featuring Macklemore, adding that this could have led to the cancellation of the tour and affected thousands of fans.
Macklemore alleged that Kraft had called Sheeran and that several stadium owners had given the singer an ultimatum. He said his discussions with Sheeran had been “rooted in love and respect” but had ended in “fundamental disagreement”.
Ed Sheeran addresses the Macklemore row
Sheeran addressed the dispute on Tuesday in a statement to his 47 million Instagram followers. “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” he said.
He added: “I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work.”
Sheeran said he was “appalled” by the conflict and insisted: “I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care.”
Explaining his reluctance to turn his shows into political forums, he said his audiences included children and people from different backgrounds who had not attended expecting a political rally.
“I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes,” Sheeran said. “However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: Peace.”
He said he preferred to use his platform as “a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed”.
Insiders said the episode had nevertheless left him seriously upset, particularly because he had tried to keep his own political views private. One said: “This felt very unfair on Ed and he’s understandably pretty hurt and angry that this has now begun to overshadow the tour.”
The source added: “Even though Ed is a very mild-mannered guy he will speak his mind when he has to. He’ll be absolutely furious at being put in this situation. He’s been thrown under a bus by several people he considers friends.”
Several other performers subsequently withdrew from dates in solidarity with Macklemore. Finneas pulled out of six forthcoming South American shows, while Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe withdrew from the remaining North American concerts despite describing Sheeran as a friend who had “changed my life”.
Danish band Lukas Graham also left the tour, saying: “Nobody’s bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we’re allowed to acknowledge.” Sheeran’s long-time collaborators Beoga, the Irish folk group who helped create the sound of Galway Girl, withdrew as well.
The dispute has placed fresh pressure on an artist whose public image has been built around an approachable, non-confrontational persona. Sheeran has previously spoken publicly on issues including ticket touting, copyright law and the impact of Brexit on touring musicians, and has worn a Justice For Grenfell T-shirt and performed at a Concert For Ukraine.
He has reportedly lost more than 200,000 Instagram followers since the row began, while promotional material for the tour was still listing Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe for an upcoming Saturday concert.
